Rail brace



Jan. 24, 1933. v

w. KOCH ET AL RAIL BRACE Filed June 9, 1952 :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 v To er's gmaoifih Jan- 24,

RAIL BRACE nvent 3 Sheet -g 2 Attorn Filed June 9,1952

Jan. 24, 1933. w. KOCH ET AL 1,895,193

RAIL BRACE Filed June 9, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Attorney Patented Jan. 24, 1933 UNITED STATES PA ENT OFFICE WILLIAM Koon AND MAG Application filed June 9,1932. Serial naciasss.

This invention relates to railway appliances x noenns, or MCKI'ITVRIGK, mss'onnr BAIL BRACE and contrivances and has more specific reference to a novel device which may be used either as a track gage or a track brace.

in proper When used in the latter sense, the device the track rails spaced parallelism in order to minimize spreading and to thereby render th track more dependable and eflicient.

We are aware of the fact that braces-o thistype are not broadly new in the prior art to which the invention relates. we take the position that Therefore, the primary novelty of the instant case is predicated upon astruc- Z15 turally improved and refined brace possessing anumber of properly selected and mechani cally co-ordinate'd details co-operating in which we believe better fulfills the requirements of a brace of forming a complete device this type.

O ure 1.

Other features and advantages of the inventionwill become more readily apparent from the following i In the drawings 2 description and drawings.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a track and cross in operative position.

Figure 2 imately'on Figure vation showing one end construction of the device. Figure 4: 1S

Figures 5 views.

Figure ties with one of the braces is a cross section taken approxthe plane ofthe line 2-2 of Fig- 3 is a detail view in section and'elev throughthe holes 19 and extends acrossthe a. crosssection on the line 4-4 and are perspective detail 7 is a bottom plan view on an en- 6 G larged scale showing the turnbuckle and shield arrangement.

Figure 8 is a cross section on the line 8,8

of Figure 7.

Figure 9 1s a perspective view of one of the N essential parts of the rail clamp unit.

Figure 10 is a detail perspective view.

In the drawings in Figure 1, lldesignate ordinary track rails, numerals 13 indicate cross raiisare spiked as are usual.

The improved brace, as a whole,is

the numerals and 'the ties to which the denoted holes 18 and 19.

said block is recessed to provide a keeper by the numeral 14. It comprises a pair of duplicate rail clamping units, each unit being the same in construction, and a description of one will suffice for all. Proceedingwith this thought in mind, each unit comprises an elongated bar 1 5 of the type shown in Figure 9 having an integral hook 16 atone end to engage over the base flange of the rail. Theopposite end portion of the bar is :proyi7ded with a reduced screw-threadedshank The intermediate portion of the bar is provided with longitudinallyspacedpassages or Mounted on eachflbar' is a sliding block-like clampingelement 20 have '2 ing notches 21 formed the'reinfto define a hook '22 to engage over the inner basefiange of the rail. As seen in Figure 2, the inner face of seat 23 as seen in Figure 3. y v

The keeper is denoted by the numeral 24; and comprises a wire bail having ahupstanding U-shaped portion 25 which embraces the rod and is seated in the keeper seat 23. The 7 numerals 26 designate arms terminating in coiled eyes 27 adapted to be selectively registered with the holes' 18. A. cotter pin or equivalent fastener 28 ispassed through the holes 1 8 and the eyes 27' to hold the keeper 24 adjustably'in place. 1 a

A similar cotter key or pin 29 is passed arms 26 to hold the keeper down in its retainingposition. I V

- As seen in Figure 7 ,the numeral 30 designates' a turn buckle which is placed to join the complemental screw-threaded shanks 17 ofthe respective units together, thus serving to draw the hooks 16 firmly against the base flange of the adjacent rail. Then the slide blocks 20 are slid up'against the innerbase flanges and fastened in place by the bail-like keepers 24. a I,

The numeral 31 designates. a guard or shield which is hingedly attached as at 32 to one of the unitsand is adapted to swing down over the turnbuckle construction to serve as a'shield. This shield carries a resilient clip 33 of the type illustrated in Figure 8 which is engageable between theside members of the turn buckle as seen in Figure 7 to prevent the turnbuckle from rotating. Thus the shield serves as a protector as well as a retainer for the turnbuckle Construction.

The numerals 34 designate stay links which are arranged in pairs and pivotally bolted as at 35 to the companion rail clamping units.

.tions of the respective units.

The outer ends of, these links are bolted or otherwise fastened as at .3 6 to the adjacent cross ties 18 thereby effectively sustaining the brace in position.

' The gist of the invention is in the provision of a pair of duplicate'companion rail clamping units arranged in longitudinal alinement with each other and having their inner ends joined together adjustably through the medium of a turnbuckle, the outer end of said units being formed with rigid hooks to engageover theouter flanges of the rails, said hooks oo- 20 operating with the slidable hooked block members arranged to engage the innerflanges of the rails.

The slidable hooks are suchin construction as to be satisfactorily held in place by the U-shaped keepers 24 mounted on the rod por- Each unit is provided with a pair of stay links pivotally connected together at their inner ends and rigidly fastened at their outer ends to the ad-- 'jacent' portions ofthe cross ties. The turn buckle is equipped with a channelshaped guard or shield which is swung down to bridge theinner end portions of the units and to cover the turnbuckle construction. In

fact, the guard carries a resilient clip which "is engageable with the turnbuckle to prevent rotation thereof after it is once set in adjusted position. 7 It is submitted that astructure of this type is desirable as an effective rail brace to prevent spreading of rails and consequent accidents and is also usable as an effective gage to set the rails on the ties at thetime of original installation. 7

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawingswill permit a clear understanding'of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary. lVhile the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and" described, it isto'be understood that minor changes coming within the field of in We claim: r

- 1. In a structure of the class described, in combination, a pair of spaced parallel track rails,-cross ties located beneath said rails, the rails being fastened to said cross ties in the usual way,'a brace located between adjacent cross ties, said brace comprising'a pair of adjust-ably connected clamping units, the outer 'vention claimed may be resorted to if desired. 7

- ends offsaid units being constructed for'retudinally spaced pairs connected together at their inner endsto the leajsabl'e enga ement I with the rails, longiof stay links pivotally v, clamping member respective units and'having their outer ends fastened to the adjacent cross ties.

2. A device of the class described comprising a pair of substantially duplicate companion clamping units, each unit comprising an.

elongated bar having a screw-threaded shank at its inner end and an integral rail flange engaging hook atits outer end, a sliding clamping member on each bar movable toward and from saidiintegral hook, said clamping member being formed with a hook to engage over the adjacent inner flange of the rail, a substantially U-shaped keeper piv- I otally mounted on each bar and adapted to swing down into abutting relationship with the complemental sliding clamp member, means for holding said keeper in place, a turnbuckle for coupling the screw-threaded shank portions of said units together, a channel-shaped shield pivotally connected to one Y of said units and swingable over the screw- .threaded shanks and turnbuckle, and a resilient clip carried by said shield and engageable with the turnbuckleto'prevent rotation of -said turnbuckle.

A device of the class described comprising a pair of substantially duplicate companion clamping units, each unit comprising an elongated bar having a screw-threaded shank at its inner end and an integral flange engaging hook at its outer end, a sliding on each bar movable to ward and from said integral hook, said member being formed with a hook to engage over for coutogether, and

together with pairs of complemental stay links pivotally connected at a I to the units and adapted to have their outer their inner ends ends fastened to adjacent portions of cross ties. i

" 4. A device of the class described comprising a pair of longitudinally alined companion clamping units, each unit comprising a bar having a rigid rail engaging hook at its outer end, a slidable block-like hook on said bar co-operable with. said rigid hook, the

inner ends of said units being formed with screw-threaded shanks, a turnbuckle icou pling said shanks'together, each slidable hook being recessed to form a keeper seat, a keeper comprising a U-shaped'wire bail having its arm portions pivotally mounted on said bar shank portions for holding said and its swingable end portion engageable in said seat, and means for adjustably holding the keeper in closed position. 7

5. A device of the class described comprising a pair of longitudinally alined companion clamping units, each unit comprising a bar having a rigid rail engaging hook at its outer end, a slidable block-like hook on said bar co-operable with said rigid hook,

the inner ends of said units being formed with screw-threaded shanks, a turnbuckle coupling said shanks together, each slidable hook being recessed to form a keeper seat, a keeper comprising a U-shaped wire bail having its arm portions pivotally mounted on said bar and its swingable endportion engagea-blein said seat, meansfor adjustably holding the keeper in closed position, a shield pivotally mounted on one of adapted to swing over the screw-threaded shank and turnbuckle, and a resilient clipv shield and engageable with carried by said said turnbuckle to hold it in a set position.

In testimony whereof we aftix our signatures. 7

WILLIAM KOCH. MACK ROGERS.

the units and, 

